Floral art lovers have been enjoying a real treat as Salisbury Cathedral holds another spectacular five day flower festival from Tuesday 14 June – Sunday 19 June 2011.

Contemporary, traditional and interpretive displays

Over 18,000 visitors were attracted to the cathedral’s last flower festival in 2008, with much praise for the quality of its artistry and creativity.

Internationally renowned floral judge, demonstrator, teacher and Chelsea Gold Medalist (2009) Michael Bowyer has again been invited to mastermind and design the festival.

National demonstrators and Chelsea Gold Medalists, Pam Lewis and Angela Turner, have assisted Michael to fill the iconic building with thousands of flowers and perfume, in an amazing array of colours and designs in a mix of contemporary, traditional and interpretative displays, all created by around 500 flower arrangers from churches and flower clubs.

For anybody who has not been able to attend this stunning event or for those who just want to remind themselves of the stunning creations; John Waddington of Nurseryfresh has created a gallery on his website.

Artistry

They were the trio behind the Cathedral’s last flower festival (2008) which was a runaway success attracting a phenomenal 18,000 visitors and much praise for the quality of its artistry and creativity.

They plan to fill the iconic building with thousands of flowers, colours and fragrance in a mix of amazing contemporary, traditional and interpretative displays, all created by around 500 flower arrangers from churches and flower clubs.

Michael Bowyer said, “This week-long Festival in June is on a massive scale. We have been working for many months putting together some totally original displays. Our integrated and co-ordinated design encompasses not only the whole interior of the Cathedral but also the main entrance areas, the Chapter House and cloister garden. There will be twenty floral banners along the pathways outside the Cathedral. It’s going to be hugely exciting and I can’t wait for people to see it!”

Individual areas

Individual areas of the building are deliberately being treated in different ways and a variety of colours, shapes, styles and sizes. There are two large-scale hanging installations –at the West End and Spire Crossing.

The North Aisle is dedicated to arrangements inspired by quotations from the King James Bible, honouring its 400th anniversary. Interpretative designs created by the Cathedral’s own team of flower arrangers explore the themes of splendour, power, glory and majesty.

The main nave will be awash with colour from an installation of over 150 urns of flowers. Further themes interpreted in floral design are the Cathedral community and famous Cathedral characters. One particular challenge will be to design a special piece inspired by Antony Gormley’s Flare II which will be suspended in the South Transept.

Finally, a group of renowned specialist floral designers will be exhibiting cutting edge designs in the Cathedral’s Morning Chapel.

Magnificent

Mark Elcomb, Chapter Clerk, said “We are delighted that Michael and his colleagues are again designing what will clearly be a magnificent flower festival. We know that many of their designs and stunning installations from 2008 have since been emulated in many different guises in many different locations. Salisbury Cathedral hopes to set a new standard in 2011!”

The Flower Festival will be open daily from 10.00am with last admission at 4.00pm (except for Sunday when the festival opens at 12 noon and closes at 4.00pm).

In preparation for the Flower Festival, the Cathedral will be closed to visitors all day Monday 13 June.

Nursery Fresh

John Waddington of Nursery Fresh Wholesale Flowers says that they have now received over half of the orders from the Flower Arrangers involved in the Salisbury Cathedral Flower Festival 2011.

John said;

“With over 500 arrangers involved, in what looks likely to be a superb ‘Floral Extravaganza’, Nursery Fresh will be kept extremely busy for the next few weeks collating and coordinating orders and purchases”.

Where possible, British grown Flowers will be used, as well as imported flowers from growers that have been accredited with the ‘Fair-trade’ mark.

Designers, Michael Bowyer, Pam Lewis and Angela Turner have promised to break new ground in floral design with a mix of traditional, contemporary and interpretive displays.

NAFAS, the National Association of Flower Arrangement Societies, is absolutely delighted to have been invited to be part of the “Team” arranging flowers for the wedding of Prince William and Miss Catherine Middleton taking place this Friday 29 April 2011 at Westminster Abbey.

The flowers have been designed by a leading florist, Shane Connolly and the “Team” will be executing these designs.

NAFAS members are no strangers to decking out Westminster Abbey in stunning floral arrangements and the members involved are their four National Officers, Pat Martin, Norma Dobney, Wendy Davis and Sue Brinton; a past National Officer, Dorothy Irvin and the NAFAS Westminster Abbey Co-ordinator, Jane Rowton-Lee.

NAFAS has been arranging flowers in Westminster Abbey for many years and recently decorated the Abbey for the Commonwealth Observance Service, which was attended by HM the Queen and HRH Prince Phillip. They alsosaid they felt very privileged to decorate the Abbey for the Papal visit by Pope Benedict XVI, in September 2010.

NAFAS is an educational charity dedicated to promoting the artistic use of plant material in all its forms. It comprises of 21 Areas, over 1200 flower clubs and around 70,000 members from all over Great Britain and Northern Ireland. NAFAS is affiliated to the RHS and the World Association of Flower Arrangers.